UC-NRLF 


^B    im    53^ 


^.A/^\' 


*^Nvn 


^^^^^%,, 
'«:^* 


m.^^^^ 


r% 


4: 


It  .k^\ 


*m$K 


¥W' 


''r      / 


^:/f^'''-:.^^^^^^^ 


^^r. 


r\ 


*mmm 


™T!TmH 


Professor  of  Geography 
University  of  Califomie 


/I 


^ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/formofexercisemaOOdahlrich 


FOEM 


OF 


EXERCISE  AND  MANCEUVRE 


FOR  THE 


BOAT-HOWITZERS  OF  THE  U.  S.  NAVY. 


BY 

LIEUT.  J.  A.  DAHLGREN, 

ASSISTANT  INSPECTOR  OF  ORDXANCK. 


*-* 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED  BY  A.   HART, 

126  CHESTNUT  STREET. 

1852. 
IT 


NOMENCLATURE. 


The  Cascabel  is  the  part  of  the  gun  in  the  rear  of  the  base 
ring;  it  is  composed  of: — 

(a).  The  breech  plate. 
(b).  The  knob. 
(c).  The  neck. 

(d).  Base  ring. 
*«  (e).  Cylinder. 

(/).  Chase. 

(g).  Loop,  with  hole  for  bolt. 
(h).  Lock  lugs. 
(^).  Lip  for  elevator. 
(j).  Muzzle-sight. 
(k).  Mass  for  breech-sight. 

The  Bore  includes  all  the  part  bored  out,  viz. : — 

Cylinder  of  bore. 

Chamber. 
These  guns  should  not  be  rubbed  bright,  which  might  render  it 
difficult  to  point  them  with  a  bright  sun. 


Plate  1. 


R 

k^ 

r^ 

1 

» 

1 

1 

-1 

bd 
o 

ll 

PSDaral*  Cos  SOafli  Press  flnl* 


BOAT-CARRIAGE. 

Bed. 

Slide. 

Compressor  plate. 

"  bolts. 

"  handles. 

Lugs  for  loop. 


FIELD-CARRIAGE. 


Axle. 

Trail. 

Braces. 

Lugs  for  loop. 

Trail  wheel  or  runner. 

Bolt  for         do. 

Socket  for  handspike. 

Elevator. 

Disc  of  elevator. 

Box  for  elevator. 


^  •  ■ 


EXERCISE  OF  THE  BOAT-HOWITZER. 


While  preparations  are  in  progress  for  clearing  out  the  boats,  the 
officer  of  the  boat  will  see  that  the  howitzer,  and  its  various  equip- 
ments, are  also  got  in  readiness.  The  junior  officer  or  officers  of  the 
piece  will  attend  to  the  gun  itself  and  its  carriages. 

The  quarter-gunner  will  have  the  ammunition  got  up  from  below ; 
also  the  lock,  sights,  sponges,  spare  fuzes,  ammunition-pouches, 
primers,  &c.     (Breeching,  if  deemed  necessary.) 

This  will  be  the  proper  occasion  for  charging  the  shrapnell  and  shells 
with  powder,  which  should  receive  the  particular  attention  of  the 
officer  who  is  to  command  the  boat. 

The  captain  of  the  gun  will  look  after  the  traverses,  tracks,  pivot- 
plates,  &c. 

The  coxswain  will  have  ready  the  thwarts,  oars,  masts,  sails,  &c. 

When  the  boat  has  been  cleared  for  hoisting  out,  lay  the  thwarts 
and  traverses,  bolt  the  pivot-plates  on  the  bows  and  quarfSrs  ;  if  the 
stem  and  stern  pivot-plates  interfere  with  the  purchases,  they  can  be 
secured  after  the  boat  is  in  the  water.  If  th6  field-carriage  is  to  ac- 
company the  gun,  lay  the  wheel  and  trail  tracks. 

In  a  sea-way,  it  may  be  better  also  to  place  the  howitzer  in  the 
launch,  laying  it  athwart-ships,  and  bolting  the  two  ends  of  the  slide 
into  the  bow  pivot-plates,  which  will  hold  it  perfectly  firm. 

As  a  general  rule,  the  howitzer  is  not  to  be  handled  separately  from 
one  of  its  carriages.  It  may  be  hoisted  into  the  launch  on  either  field 
or  boat-carriage,  as  circumstances  may  dictate. 

When  the  boat-carriage  is  preferred,  sling  it  with  a  stout  strap 
passed  through  the  loop-lugs  and  brought  up  round  the  gun,  into  which 
hook  the  purchase  ;  previously  shove  the  bed  a  littl^  towards  the  rear 
end  of  the  slide,  so  as  to  have  the  carriage  hang  square,  and  set  the 
compressors  tight. 


When  the  boat  has  been  hoisted  out,  the  howitzer,  its  ammunition 
And  equipments,  will  be  stowed  in  it  conformably  to  the  requirements 
of  the  occasion. 

Supposing  the  arrangements  to  be  of  a  general  character,  and  to 
be  adapted,  subsequently,  to  the  service  as  circumstances  may  require. 

The  howitzer  may  be  in  the  bow  on  its  boat-carriage,  bolted  to  the 
stem-pivot. 

The  field-carriage  aft,  the  wheels  resting  on  the  floor  of  the  stern 
sheets  and  bearing  against  the  after-thwart ;  the  trail  laid  over  the 
quarter  rail,  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  steering. 

The  ammunition  can  be  stowed  in  the  stern  sheets,  or  elsewhere, 
as  may  be  most  convenient  for  trim  of  launch,  or  for  its  own  preser- 
vation. 

The  captain  of  the  howitzer  slings  his  haversack,  and  deposits  in 
it  a  supply  of  primers,  a  vent  bit,  and  vent  cloth,  which  are  handed 
to  him  by  the  quarter-gunner. 


^ 


^' 


6 


The  stations  in  the  boat  and  at  the  howitzer  will  be  as  follows, 
for  20  men ;  if  fewer  are  employed,  the  higher  numbers  are  to  Im 
omitted : — 

Howitzer. 
Duty. 


Boat. 

Stations. 
Quarter-gunner,        Ammunition. 


Coxswain, 
No.  1. 


Port. 


3.  Bow  oar. 


5.  2d  oar. 

6.  

7.  3d  oar. 

8.  

9.  4th  oar. 

10.  

11.  5th  oar. 

12. 

13.  6th  oar. 

14.  

15.  7th  oar. 

16.  

17.  8th  oar. 

18.  

19.  9th  oar. 


Helm. 
Bow. 


Starboard. 
Bow  oar. 


2d 

oar. 

3d 

oar. 

4th 

oar. 

5th 

oar. 

6th 

oar. 

7th 

oar. 

8th 

oar. 

9th 

oar. 

Ammunition. 

Captain  of  howitzer;  points  and 
fires  the  gun,  superintends  or- 
ders, and  gives  orders  in  absence 
of  an  ofificer. 

Sponger  ;  sponges  and  rams  home 
charge. 

Loader ;  receives  and  enters  am- 
munition. 

Tends  forward  compressor. 

Tends  after  compressor. 

Train  rope. 

Tends  vent  and  puts  in  primer. 


•^V 


Officer  of  the  launch  directs  the  whole  operations,  or  may  take 
especial  charge  of  the  howitzer. 

Officer  of  the  gun  is  in  command  of  the  piece,  unless  otherwise 
ordered  by  the  officer  of  the  boat..  ^  =    ^ 


Plate  2. 


Stations  mBoat, 

4 

Wk 

il 

tM            ^ 

(3': 

H- 

e 

I 

# 

3 

1 

1    

6 

• 

1 

, 

1 

-T^ 

8 

S 

^ 

II 

-    — 

W 

1 

-    — 

12 

. 

Y'-    - 

-    — 

14 

I7_ 

— 1    — 

— i    — 

16 

^  ' 

^- 

7^ 

l\ 

^n 

Jj 

\< 

1 

• 

• 

iL 

r  ^ 

■  s  Bipri^ACo  aairEta' 


Plate  3. 


StatioTis  a 

tHo-witzer 
oat. 

// 

4          \\ 

//         1 

J               A 

If        "' 

'  •        w 

6 

w 

• 

i 

J3) 

-^ 

i 

/vj                 U- 

I. 


(Preliminary  Order) — ^Man  the  Howitzer. 

The  captain  of  the  gun  is  to  see  that  the  elevator,  sight,  and  lock 
are  in  order  for  firing. 

Nos.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  T.     Trail  oars. 

No.  2  goes  to  starboard  side  of  muzzle,  having  the  sponge  and 
rammer  ready. 

No.  3  goes  to  port  side  of  muzzle,  takes  out  tompion. 

No.  4  to  starboard  side,  near  forward  compressor. 

No.  5  port  side  near  after  compressor. 

No.  6  after  end  of  slide,  and  hooks  training-rope. 

No.  7  tends  the  vent  and  puts  in  primer. 

If  the  gun  is  unloaded,  it  must  be  run  in. 

1.  Sponge. 

No.  7  closes  vent  (a). 

No.  2  enters  the  sponge,  and,  pressing  it  firmly  to  the  bottom, 
turns  it  round  and  withdraws  it  (5). 

Quarter-gunner  takes  a  round  from  the  ammunition-box,  and,  if 
shell  or  shrapnell  be  used,  holds  it  for  the  officer  in  command  of  gun 
to  adjust  the  fuze. 

2.  Load. 

Quarter-gunner  passes  forward  with  the  fixed  charge,  protecting 
it  under  his  jacket  (c). 

No.  3  receives  from  .quarter-gunner  and  enters  charge. 

No.  2  rams  home  to  the  mark  on  rammer-handle  {d). 

No.  7  puts  in  primer,  and  covers  it  with  his  hand  until  Nos.  1  and 
2  are  clear  of  the  gun  (e). 


8 


3.  Point. 

Nos.  4  and  5  ease  compressors  (/). 

All  six  men  and  captain  of  gun  ruii  out  the  howitzer  (g). 

Nos.  4  and  5  then  tighten  compressors. 

Officer  of  gun  puts  up  the  sight  as  directed  by  officer  of  launch  (A). 

Captain  of  gun  brings  the  elevation  within  the  limits  of  the  boat's 
motion. 

And  causes  No.  6,  with  the  assistance  of  some  others,  to  train 
nearly  to  object,  if  the  boat  is  under  way. 

4.  Fire. 

If  the  boat  have  motion,  or  is  under  way,  a  discretionary  execution 
of  this  order  is  necessarily  implied. 

The  assumed  elevation  having  been  given  by  the  elevator,  a  slight 
motion  of  the  helm  is  made  to  sweep  the  piece  laterally,  so  as  to 
cross  the  object. 

The  captain  of  the  gun  closely  watches  this  movement,  with  his 
eye  down  on  the  sights,  and,  holding  the  lock  laniard  firmly,  draws 
as  soon  as  the  sights  coincide  with  the  object. 

Immediately  after  firing,  he  coils  up  the  laniard,  and  pulls  from 
the  vent  any  pieces  of  the  quill  that  may  remain,  also  enters  the  bit 
to  clear  it  entirely  through  (^). 


NOTES  TO  THE  FORM  OF  BOAT  EXERCISE. 

(a).  The  necessity  of  closing  the  vent  is  now  a  mooted  question; 
as  the  operation  itself  is  a  slight  one,  having  no  appreciable  effect  in 
complicating  or  delaying  the  manoeuvre  of  the  gun,  it  is  not  deemed 
advisable  to  lay  it  aside  in  this  "Form."  The  practice  here  shows 
that  the  most  ready,  and  equally  sure  method,  is  merely  to  lay  a 
piece  of  untwilled  woollen  cloth  over  the  vent,  and  press  it  down 
with  the  hand,  or  else  turn  the  lock  on  it,  and  hold  that  down. 

(b).  Too  much  care  cannot  be  used  in  sponging ;  as  a  premature 
explosion  endangers  life  and  limb :  a  moist  sponge  is  to  be  preferred, 
for  contact  with  it  must  surely  extinguish  every  trace  of  fire  in  the 
bore. 

It  may  be  considered  a  safeguard  against  accident,  if  the  absence 
of  a  single  instance  of  the  kind,  in  several  years'  practice,  can  be 
admitted  as  evidence;  during  this  time,  the  habit  has  been,  in  prov- 
ing pieces,  and  exercising  the  men  to  fire  rapidly;  ordinarily,  seven 
or  eight  times  in  a  minute. 

(<?).  The  head  of  the  fuze  composition  must  be  guarded  against 
moisture  from  the  fingers,  rain,  or  spray  of  the  sea ;  otherwise,  there 
will  be  a  failure  to  ignite. 

(d).  The  ammunition  is  never  to  be  struck  with  the  rammer-head, 
but  pushed  home,  and  with  very  moderate  force ;  particularly  omit- 
ting a  very  common  practice  of  forcing  the  charge  after  it  reaches 
the  bottom  of  the  bore.  In  ramming  home  the  charge.  No.  2  should 
always  keep  his  body  at  the  side  of  the  chase,  not  before  the  muzzle. 

(e).  It  is  not  necessary  to  pierce  the  cylinder  of  the  charge  when 
percussion-primers  are  used ;  their  power  being  always  sufficient  to 
pass  through  it. 

(/).  It  is  only  necessary  to  give  the  compressors  a  turn,  or  a  part 
of  a  turn ;  this  will  relieve  the  compression  completely,  and  time  is 
saved  subsequently  in  compressing. 


10 

[g).  Some  will  take  hold  of  the  standard  of  the  carriage-bed  that 
receives  the  loop  of  the  piece,  others  of  the  breech  or  bed,  as  may 
be  convenient  to  run  out  the  gun. 

(A).  In  tightening  the  thumb-screw  that  retains  the  breech-sight 
in  position,  do  not  turn  it  too  hard ;  the  thread  may  be  stripped  by 
continuing  to  do  so.  The  sight  may  descend  by  the  shock  of  the 
discharge,  but  this  is  of  no  moment. 

In  point-blank  firing,  the  breech-sight  is  not  required ;  the  eye  must 
then  range  along  the  cylinder  and  muzzle-sight. 

{i).  The  charge  may  refuse  fire ;  if  this  arises  from  not  properly 
drawing  the  lock,  it  will  be  evident  at  sight,  as  the  wafer  of  the  primer 
will  not  flash,  in  which  case  No.  7  will  throw  back  the  lock. 

If  the  primer  explodes  without  acting  on  the  charge,  care  must  be 
taken  not  to  approach  the  piece  too  soon,  as  it  may  only  hang  fire, 
and  the  recoil  will  injure  any  one  in  the  way  of  it.  After  a  season- 
able pause,  the  captain  of  the  howitzer  will  remove  the  residue  of  the 
primer,  pass  the  bit  down  the  vent,  and  reinsert  another  primer. 


11 


PIVOTING  THE  HOWITZER. 


The  sweep  allowed  by  the  stem-pivot  is  about  one  point  and  a  half 
starboard  or  port ;  if  this  is  not  sufficient  to  train  the  piece  on  the 
object,  without  diverging  inconveniently  from  the  course  or  position 
of  the  boat,  then  the  bow  pivots  may  be  used. 

The  officer  of  the  launch  gives  the  order  : — 

Pivot  on  the  Port  (or  Starboard)  Bow. 

No.  6,  with  the  assistance  of  the  others,  trains  the  rear  end  of  the  slide 
into  the  bow-pivot  which  is  not  to  be  used.  No.  7  bolts  it  in.  No.  2 
draws  bolt  out  of  stem-pivot  and,  with  assistance,  draws  round  the 
forward  end  of  the  slide  into  the  pivot  to  he  used  ;  drops  in  the  bolt. 
No.  6  withdraws  the  bolt  from  rear  end  of  slide. 

The  sweep  on  the  bow-pivots  includes  an  arc  of  about  120  degrees. 

It  is  not  advisable  to  train  the  howitzer  more  than  a  point  abaft 
the  beam  if  forward,  or  more  than  a  point  forward  the  beam  if  aft ; 
as  the  accidental  explosion  of  a  shell  near  the  muzzle,  and  even  of  a 
shrapnell,  might  be  dangerous  to  those  in  the  boat. 

On  the  bow-pivot,  the  piece  may  be  pointed  nearly  from  the  direc- 
tion of  the  keel  to  a  little  abaft  the  beam. 


SHIFTING  THE  HOWITZER. 

If  this  does  not  bear  on  the  object  with  such  assistance  as  is  admis- 
sible from  the  helm,  then  the  officer  of  the  launch  may  direct  the 
howitzer  to  be  shifted  to  the  other  end  of  the  boat. 

The  light  12  pounders,  with  their  boat-carriages,  average  660  lbs. 
each ;  and  can  be  transported  by  hand  from  one  end  of  the  boat  to 
another. 

With  their  boat-carriages  the  12  pounders  of  750  average  1200  lbs. 
each ;  the  24  pounders  about  2000  lbs.,  and  will  probably  be  more 
conveniently  managed,  especially  if  the  boat  have  motion,  by  placing 
rollers  (2J  to  2}  inches  in  diameter)  on  the  tracks  laid  for  the  field- 
carriage.  On  these  the  boat-carriage  can  be  shifted  from  one  end  to 
the  other,  using  light  falls  at  each  end  to  keep  it  under  command. 


12 


DISEMBARKATION  OF  THE  HOWITZER. 

1.  Prepare  to  Land. 

The  quarter-gunner  fills  the  pouches  or  passing-boxes  with  one 
round  each,  and  passes  them  to  the  men,  each  of  whom,  except  No. 
2,  slings  a  pouch  over  the  right  shoulder,  and  buckles  the  strap  as 
short  as  possible,  so  as  to  keep  the  ammunition  clear  of  the  water 
when  leaving  the  boat. 

The  captain  of  the  gun  also  shortens  the  strap  of  his  haversack. 

Trail  Bow  and  Stroke  Oars. 

Nos.  2  and  3  will  adjust  the  bed  of  the  boat-carriage  to  its  proper 
place  on  the  slide  for  shifting ;  place  the  muzzle-block,  and  make  the 
muzzle  bear  on  it  by  means  of  the  elevator ;  pass  the  strap  around 
the  neck  of  the  cascable,  and  put  the  shifting-spar  through  the  strap ; 
the  quarter-gunner,  assisted  by  the  men  from  the  after  oars,  raises 
the  field-carriage  up  on  the  tracks. 

2.  Trail. 

The  boat  being  beached  in  season,  the  men  trail  their  oars  and 
jump  to  their  stations. 

Nos.  4  and  5  over  the  bow  to  adjust  the  skids,  which  are  launched 
bj  Nos.  6  and  7. 

No.  2  attends  the  elevator. 

No.  3  attends  the  muzzle. 

Nos.  8,  10,  11,  and  13  the  shifting-spar,  assisted  by  as  many  of 
the  crew  as  can  take  hold. 

No.  9  draws  the  loop-bolt. 

The  stroke  oarsmen  run  the  field-carriage  forward,  the  quarter-  % 
gunner  guiding  it  on  the  track  by  the  trail. 

3.  Shift  the  Howitzer. 

Now  clear  the  elevator ;  heave  up  the  breech  of  the  gun  by  the    • 
spar ;  Nos.  6  and  7  back  the  bed  on  the  slide ;  run  the  field-carriage 
a  little  forward,  so  that  its  lugs  come  under  the  loop  of  the  howitzer ; 
lower   the  piece ;  put  in   the  loop-bolt  and  elevator ;  hook  on  the 
drag-rope,  and  ship  the  trail-handspike  in  its  socket. 


13 

4.  Land. 

Nos.  2,  3,  6,  and  7  now  jump  out  of  the  boat,  and,  with  Nos.  4  and 
5,  divide  to  each  skid ;  not  standing  between  them,  but  keeping  out- 
side of  them.  The  stroke  oarsmen  wheel  the  piece  up  to  the  gun- 
wale by  the  spokes,  the  quarter-gunner  guiding  the  trail  by  the 
trail-handspike ;  the  remainder  of  the  boat's  crew  take  hold  of  the 
drag-rope,  so  as  to  ease  the  howitzer  down  from  the  bow,  the  quarter- 
gunner  guiding  it  on  the  skids  with  care,  so  that  the  wheels  may  not 
run  off  sideways. 

When  down  off  the  skids  and  on  the  bottom,  the  drag-rope  may 
be  hooked  around  the  axle,  and  the  howitzer  run  up  on  the  beach. 

The  captain  of  the  howitzer  superintends  and  assists  whenever  it 
may  be  necessary. 

The  sponges  and  rammers  are  now  to  be  attached  in  their  places 
on  the  trail. 

If  required,  one  or  two  boxes  or  double  boxes  may  be  lashed  under 
the  axles. 

The  boxes  contain  9  rounds  each,  the  double  boxes  18  rounds  each. 

EMBARKATION  OF  THE  HOWITZER. 

When  the  howitzer  is  to  be  embarked,  the  ammunition-boxes,  if  slung 
to  the  axle,  should  be  cast  off  from  it,  and  put  in  the  boat  separately. 

The  men  unsling  the  ammunition-pouches  or  passing-boxes,  and 
pass  them  into  the  boat,  which  is  to  be  brought  to  a  convenient 
distance  from  the  beach,  the  skids  laid  and  secured. 

The  field-carriage  is  pointed  with  the  trail  towards  the  boat,  and 
drawn  down  to  the  skids,  with  a  wheel  resting  on  each. 

Nos.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,*and  7  divide  at  the  wheels,  and  take  hold  of  the 
spokes,  so  as  to  assist  the  carriage  up.  No.  14  ships  the  trail-hand- 
spike, and  tends  it  with  No.  15.  "  The  rest  of  the  men  get  into  the 
boat  and  take  hold  of  the  drag-rope.  At  the  word  Heave  !  the  men 
at  the  wheels  bear  the  carriage  up  on  the  skids,  those  in  the  boat 
haul  on  the  drag-rope,  and  the  two  at  the  trail  bear  it  up  so  that  the 
quarter-gunner,  who  stands  at  the  bow,  can  get  hold  of  the  trail- 
handspike  and  guide  the  carriage  fairly. 

When  the  howitzer  is  in  the  boat,  the  skids  are  unhooked  and  put 
in  the  boat  by  Nos.  4,  5,  6,  and  7. 

The  howitzer  may  now  be  shifted  to  the  boat-carriage,  by  revers- 
ing the  process  already  described  in  orders  Nos.  1,  2,  and  3,  for  the 
shifting  to  the  field-carriage. 


14 


EXERCISE  WITH  HOWITZER  ON  FIELD-CARRIAGE. 

Gun's  Crew. 


/ 

N 

Stations. 

Duty, 

Quarter-gunner. 

Charge  of  ammunition  and  spare 

equipment. 

No.  1. 

Rear   of  breech,    to   the 

Captain  o^  piece  ;  points  and  fires 

right. 

the  howitzer,  superintends  or- 
ders, and  gives  orders  in  absence 

of  an  officer. 

2. 

Starboard  side  of  muzzle. 

Sponges  and  rams  home. 

3. 

Port  side  of  muzzle. 

Receives  and  enters  ammunition. 

4. 

Bear  and  outside  of  star- 
board wheel. 

Assists  at  starboard  wheel. 

5. 

Bear  and  outside  of  port 

Passes  ammunition,  assists  at  port 

wheel. 

wheel. 

6. 

Five  yards  rear  of  star- 

Assists at  starboard  wheel,  attends 

board  wheel. 

bolt  of  trail  wheel,  and  trail 
handspike. 

7. 

Five  yards  rear  of  port 

Passes  ammunition,  assists  at  port 

wheel. 

wheel. 

8. 

With  No.  6. 

Assists  at  starboard  wheel. 

9. 

With  No.  7. 

Assists  at  port  wheel. 

10. 

Rear   of  breech,    to   the 
left. 

Closes  the  vent,  puts  in  primer. 

(Preparatory  Order) — Man  the  Howitzer. 

The  men  go  to  their  stations  as  above  designated. 

If  the  piece  has  been  just  landed,  the  captain  of  the  howitzer  will 
have  been  provided  with  his  haversack,  previously  supplied.    . 

All  the  men,  except  No.  2,  with  one  round  in  a  pouch. 

No.  2  takes  the  sponge  and  rammer. 

No.  6  unbolts  trail  wheel,  and  ships  handspike  in  its  socket  of 
trail. 

The  ammunition-box,  if  there  be  any  with  the  howitzer,  is  to  be 
deposited  about  twenty-five  yards  in  the  rear  of  howitzer,  in  charge 
of  quarter-gunner. 

The  drag-rope  is  deposited  with  the  ammunition-box. 


Stations  at  tke  Field  Carnage. 


Plate  4. 


15 


1.  Sponge. 

No.  2  enters  the  sponge,  and,  pressing  it  firmly  to  the  bottom,  turns 
it  round  and  withdraws  it. 

Quarter-gunner  takes  a  round  from  the  ammunition-box,  or  from 
the  pouch  or  passing  box  of  one  of  the  men ;  and,  if  shell  or  shrapnell 
be  used,  holds  it  for  the  officer  in  command  to  adjust  the  fuze. 

2.  Load. 

The  charge  is  to  be  passed  along  by  the  quarter-gunner  to  No.  7, 
and  by  No.  7  to  No.  5,  and  by  No.  5  to  No.  3,  who  enters  it  into  the 
muzzle. 

No.  2  rams  home  to  the  mark  on  rammer-handle. 

No.  10  puts  in  primer,  and  covers  it  with  his  hand  until  Nos.  2 
and  3  have  withdrawn  to  their  stations  outside  the  wheels. 

3.  Point. 

Officer  of  gun  puts  up  the  sight,  as  directed  by  officer  in  command. 

The  captain  of  the  gun  gives  the  piece  the  proper  elevation  with 
the  screw,  and  causes  No.  6  to  train  the  gun  with  the  trail-handspike 
to  the  desired  direction.  He  then  withdraws  as  far  as  the  lock  laniard 
permits,  standing  on  the  right  quarter  of  the  breech,  and  outside  of 
the  wheel. 

No.  10  stands  outside  of  the  port  wheel.  Nos.  2  and  3  fall  back 
upon  Nos.  1  and  10,  and  the  remainder  of  the  gun's  crew  take  the 
stations  first  assigned  them. 

4.  Fire. 

The  captain  of  the  howitzer  instantly  draws  the  laniard  at  the 
word. 

No.  10  closes  the  vent. 

Nos.  5,  7,  and  9  go  to  the  port  wheel;  4,  6,  and  8  to  the  star- 
board wheel,  taking  hold  of  the  spokes,  ready  to  wheel  the  carriage 
forward,  as  may  be  directed  by  the  officer  in  command. 


16 


(Concluding  Order) — Secure  the  Howitzer. 

The  quarter-gunner  secures  the  ammunition-box,  and  gets  ready 
the  beckets  or  lashing. 

The  captain  of  the  howitzer  coils  the  laniard  around  the  lock. 

No.  6  bolts  the  trail  wheel. 

No.  2  may  carry  the  sponge  in  his  hand  if  the  fire  is  merely  sus- 
pended. 

No.  6  may  also  carry  the  trail-handspike. 

Nos.  7  and  8  hook  on  the  drag-rope,  and  lead  its  parts  fair  for 
taking  hold. 

Wheel  the  piece  over  the  ammunition-box,  and  lash  or  becket  it 
to  the  axle. 

The  piece  is  now  ready  for  any  change  ef  position. 


■^ 


4i 


v 


4r, 


u 


// 


'^ismmmmmiimmi^ 


^)\n^ 


p 


^ 


r  ■ 


,/  y 


0 


^^  Hr 


P::^^^:^^ 


^ 


RETURN 
TO' 


CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 

202  Main  Library 


lOAN  PERIOD  1 
HOME  USE 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 

1  -month  loans  may  be  renewed  by  calling  642-3405 

6-month  loans  may  be  recharged  by  bringing  books  to  Circulation  Desk 

Renewals  and  recharges  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  due  date 


DUE  AS  STAMPED  BEL 

ow 

■ten  0Cr24'82 

lY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  BERKELEY 


*%. 


vV^'V'' 


i'^^ 


# 


